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Four men - who were members of an Oxford street grooming gang - have been told by the Court of Appeal today that they will have to serve their life sentences.

The men had tried to get their jail terms reduced - despite the part they played in a paedophile gang. They, and three others, had targetted underage, vulnerable girls - plied them with drink and drugs - and then abused them.

Their crimes were carried out under the noses of the authorities. Kamar Jamil, Bassam Karrar and brothers Akhtar and Anjum Dogar said their sentences- life with a minimum of 12, 15, 17 and 17 years served, were excessive.

But today, their appeal was emphatically rejected, in a hearing lasting just two minutes. Child protection agencies say it's a victory for justice. Cary Johnston reports.

A serious case review has found that more than 300 young people in Oxfordshire have been victims of child sexual exploitation over the last 15 years. The review has criticised police and social services.

Since Operation Bullfinch began, the community around Cowley Road in Oxford has been rebuilding its reputation as a multi-cultural street. Penny Silvester reports.

Faith leaders representing the diversity of religious traditions in Oxford (under the aegis of the Oxford Council of Faiths) and civic and community leaders have come together to offer a joint statement following the publication of the Serious Case Review findings.

We want to make it absolutely clear that child sexual exploitation is an abhorrent and wicked crime. It is contrary to the faith and teachings of all our religions. Our thoughts and prayers are with those young people, who have suffered through the crimes of others, and also with their families and carers, as they provide vital support to help the survivors rebuild their lives.

We must remember that it was through the courage and bravery of these young survivors of horrific abuse, speaking out and acting as witnesses in court, that the perpetrators of this wicked crime are behind bars. We hope that this has made the Oxford area a safer place.

The Serious Case Review findings point to systemic failings and the absence of joined-up thinking in the way key statutory bodies dealt with the cases of child sexual exploitation in Oxford. As we move forward together, we would urge the statutory bodies to continue to learn from past mistakes, and to ensure that robust systems develop still further to combat this wicked crime. We must all keep children and their safety at the centre of all that is done. We encourage victims of such crimes to come forward, not to suffer in silence but to speak out. We are determined that you will be heard and supported. We pledge to do all that we can to ensure that robust systems are in place and proper training provided within our communities, so as to ensure that we are all vigilant to the signs and symptoms of child abuse.

As faith and community leaders in Oxford, we renew our commitment to work in partnership with the police, the local authorities and all partner agencies to root out child sexual exploitation from our society.

The hotel where the findings will be announced. A serious case review is expected to find that, over the last 15 years, more than 300 young people in Oxfordshire have been victims of child sexual exploitation.